West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-04-29
EXPOSE CORRUPTION.

a Joint resolution WAS introduced,
reciting. That it was currently
charged and generally believed that
improper means had been used TO
influence the vote Of Senator in
the election of a L. ). Senator"
which recital is understood to refer
TO Mr.. Minear, and whereas, the
committee then appointed reported
That, owing to the late hour, they
did not have time to investigate.
Therefore, Resolved, that com
mittee of three be appointed to in
yestigate said charge and they have
power to send for persons and
papers.
This resolution is very good us
far as it goes, but it does not go far
enough. Why limit it SO carefully
to Minear? Why limit it to the
Senate? 1t is charged and general
" believed,-indeed, the belief
=
amounts to eonviction-that during
the recent canvass Mr.. Camden
spent vast sum Of money to nomi-
nate and elect Legislative candi-
dates who would vote for him and
to defeat others who were opposed to
him. We have heard representative
men, such men as are trusted and
respected most by those who know
them best, estimate that Mr.. Cam
denis candidacy had cost him, pre-
vious to the meeting OF the Legisla-
ture, no: less than $4,000. 1t is
an open secret that he sent money to
several who are now members IF the
Legislature. This matter is talked
about every time two neighbors meet.
If these statements be trne, and we
believe them to be true, then they
should be established and publish
ed to the people of this State. If
they be untrue, the members of the
Legislature referred to should be
indicated. Let the truth come out.
1t is easy to ask Chew, FlournOy,
and Snydenstricker whether they
received $500, or any other sum,
from Mr.. Camden; it is easy TO ask
Rowan, Oxley and Kidd whether
they received any money from him,
and il so how much. If it is no re-
lection to suggest these questions
in the one case, it is no reflection to
suggest them in the other. 1t is
worse than childish, TO object TO
printing what is already in the
mouth of every intelligent man in
this State Let it be understood the
day Of cOncealment and '.still-hunts'
is past. This paper has an audience
in 81 counties of this State and what
is here said will be repeated and
talked about at every crossroads in
West Virginia before next Friday
night. The Ostrich is not conceal
ct because its head is hid in the
sand.
Do not coniine ADMINISTRATION to
the Senate. Let there be n joint
committee. The last session pro-
posed joint committee why limit
the present committee to one House:
Do not have a packed committee
selected for the purpose ofsuPpres-
sing the facts. \ packed commit
tee will deceive no one but will in
crease the scandal and bring greater
discredit upon those who are suspec-
tel. Let Beckwith and Hokc he
among members on part of the
House. They are competent. Men
unaccustOmed to such work cannot
render efficient service. The Senate
has appointed Dawson, Flournoy
and SOmmerville, very competent
committee; Dawson is particularly
competent and Flournoy is not only
qualified but he will not shirk his
duty. Give this joint committee
plenary power and authorize it to
sit, if necessary, after the Legisla-
ture adjourns. 1t may be that hri-
berry will be delayed until the last
day Of the session and if it then oc-
ours the committee should havepower
10 unearth and expose it. Our gov
ernment is gone unless there be vir-
tue enough and courage enough
TO break up bribery. There is
not an honest tax payer in the
State who will begrudge the cost Of
this investigation. If no bribery is
contemplated, then power in the
committee to sit after adjournment
will not increase the expense or
bring any inconvenience. Such a
committee cannot possibly do harm |
and may do infinite good.
QUESTIONS